Holding steady.
Popularity of Fairley since 1926
Babies named Fairley per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 11 |
| 1930s | 10 |
| 1940s | 96 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Fairley is a rare English surname name that briefly appeared in U.S. birth records starting in 1926. Its peak usage occurred in 1944, though even then it never ranked among the top 1000 names. The name has remained extremely uncommon, with fewer than five births per year in recent decades. Its stable trajectory suggests it has never experienced a revival. Derived from Old English elements meaning 'fair meadow,' Fairley shares roots with the more common Farley. Parents seeking an obscure, nature-inspired name with a soft sound might consider Fairley, but its rarity means it may often be misspelled or mistaken for Farley.
Fairley is an English surname-turned-first-name derived from the Old English elements fæger (meaning 'fair, beautiful') and leah ('woodland clearing, meadow'). It originated as a locational surname for someone living near a fair clearing. As a given name, it saw modest use in the early 20th century, particularly in the 1940s, but has remained rare since.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Fair
Variants: Farley, Fairlie, Farlie
Sibling names for Fairley
Names that share Fairley's style, for a brother or sister.
